On another day, one of our countless big opportunities would go in and we'd have taken the lead. On another day, the elbow on Reynolds and subsequent last-man foul on him could've resulted in a red card in either instance. On another day, the referee might not give such a soft penalty for Gateshead. On another day, Wilkinson scores from the spot and we go on to possibly get a point. Bemoaning our bad luck, a lot of which is self-inflicted deriving from our own mistakes, is a familiar theme at the minute. It is true that when a team has two real chances compared to your fifteen plus, and you end up losing 2-0, you're somewhat entitled to adopt the 'not our day' mentality. It's also true that we should've been five goals up by the time Gateshead even ventured in our half. We were completely in control throughout the first-half but it was painfully predictable that they would take a completely undeserved lead. Then the dynamic of the game completely changes and you're chasing it. And what better thing to do when you're chasing a game than take off your most creative and effective player? By the time Munns was inexplicably substituted, we'd succumbed again to Gateshead's perfectly-executed style of football. While we still had the time and ability to snatch a point, there was no belief. I remember the never-say-die mentality that saw us come from behind to earn superb victories against Salford, Orient and Hartlepool, but it wasn't evident here. Against Boreham Wood just a few weeks ago, even at 3-0 down, you could just sense that we still had a fighting chance. On this occasion there was nothing. No fight. No spark. No real desire to give our absolute all until that final whistle, which only the sound of would indicate that we were truly beaten. We were beaten as soon as Rigg converted his penalty! There was nobody on the pitch who looked like making something happen. That wasn't helped by the fact that we took Munns off and played McQueen at right-wing back. He's not a right-wing back, he never has been and never will be. Wilkinson had a massive off-day, but you can excuse him that after the start he's had to his stint at the club. You could see that he clearly wasn't fit, he just lacked the usual slickness and arrogant glide across the pitch. He couldn't wait to pass the ball and didn't contest much. The delays ahead of our penalty didn't help things at all. The moment Wilkinson takes the ball off McQueen, he simply has to score, and in that moment he's maximised the pressure of the kick massively. Then of course Reynolds stayed down for a bit and this only added to the nerves across the ground as Wilkinson had more time to contemplate where to put it. He's been brilliant when he relies on pure instinct and impulse, but wasn't as good when he could really ponder what to do. When he stepped up, the general consensus was, ''it's Wilko, there's no way this doesn't go in.'' but when you look at our penalty record since relegation to the National League it's really not that surprising. 22 awarded to us and exactly half of those missed doesn't make for pleasant reading and I doubt there's many teams in the top five tiers of English football with a worse success rate. So we're left with the 'what if' feeling regarding McQueen, who really looked up for it and had played quite well up until that point. Going forwards, he performed well and that's no surprise because HE'S A WINGER. Liam Gordon also barely put a foot wrong and it's amazing to think that he's 19 years old. Robinson battled well too but other that that there were few who could walk off the Victoria Road pitch satisfied with their performance. To be honest, we probably did deserve a point but that doesn't disguise the fact that we're well below par at the minute. This leaves us with two games coming up against sides around the play-off picture. We could quite conceivably, and the way we're going probably will, lose them both and that's scary because we're only five points above relegation. But not to worry, it just wasn't our day and we'll bounce back next week. Why? Because the players said so on Twitter. It is so like the Daggers to follow up title-winning form with that befitting of a relegation-chasing side. Next week is massive now and, though things aren't great at the minute, the reality is that we'll all look forward to next weekend all over again. You feel gutted for a while and then it subsides as fickle hope begins to fill everyone's heads. Let's keep backing the team and Peter Taylor; as supporters we've done our job all season but now it's time for our team to step up and prove themselves. Yes, 14th is excellent compared to where we were in August but if you judge our recent performances based on where we should be given the strength of our current team, it's not been good enough. Another week, another strange decision to scratch your head over. After the strange omission of Munns and McQueen from the lineup in North Wales last week, this time it was the substitution of Munns, our most creative player at that point, that proved baffling. That he then sarcastically applauded the supporters who rightfully voiced their pleasure over this decision wasn't particularly welcomed either as we slumped to a second straight defeat without scoring. Elsewhere, playing McQueen at right wing-back seemed confusing as two players natural to that position sat in the stands. Of course, then there's the forgotten man, Tomi Adeloye, who deserves so much better. The lineup itself was much more positive, which was pleasing, but the formation and roles didn't seem to suit us too well. Need Harry Phipps and Balanta back in that side quickly. Gateshead are an organised, well-drilled if largely unspectacular side, whose unforeseen run into the play-offs despite troubles behind the scenes is worthy of immense credit. There wasn't really one standout player of any note yet as a unit they played well, complemented eachother and worked very hard. Some of their antics were questionable, such as the cynical elbow on Reynolds, but we've come to expect that now. Thought we were more than capable of beating them and they weren't particularly special, nor did they look like a team in the play-offs, but their ability to clinically convert the only real chances that came their way illustrates why they're doing so well. Superb counter-attacking play and though they should've been three down before ten minutes had even gone, on the whole they sat back and soaked up pressure well. Not the best side to visit Victoria Road all season, not that they had to be, but definitely the most effective. Elliot JUSTHAM (6/10): Didn't have much to do, but still conceded both opportunities that he faced.
Liam GORDON (8/10): Like most weeks, didn't put a foot wrong. Ben GOODLIFFE (6/10): Largely solid, but distribution from the back wasn't the best. Kenny CLARK (7/10): A threat from our set-pieces but not as effective in the other box. Manny ONARIASE (6/10): While it was harsh, still conceded the penalty which changed the game. Alex MCQUEEN (7/10): Effective going forwards even when restricted by wing-back role. Imagine if we played him out wide. Matt ROBINSON (7/10): Gritty, battled well but tired as the game went on. Doug LOFT (5/10): If I could remember anything he did, I'd be able to comment on his performance. Jack MUNNS (6/10): Busy and energetic, he was the likeliest to make something happen. Should never have been subbed. Lamar REYNOLDS (4/10): You simply have to score those chances. So frustrating to watch. Conor WILKINSON (4/10): A rare off-day for Conor who didn't look fit and lacked his usual spark. Penalty miss was huge too. Substitutes - Ollie HARFIELD (5/10) didn't bring anything new to the table; Chike KANDI (5/10) completely ineffective.
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January 2024
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